Methodism in Cuba!

There are many questions about the Cuba churches and anyone that has spoken with me are aware of it. Why has the Cuban church under the adverse conditions grown so much? Why when you take new people to Cuba, they cannot believe the church services or the intensity of their worship? Why have so many travelers said to me, “I have never felt closer to Jesus Christ than I did in Cuba?” I hear people say my life is, “before Cuba and now after Cuba.”

Why do Americans not say that about their local church? I will let the experts debate that. But what I can tell you, churches in Florida and the United States are declining at an alarming rate. This is before Covid and the closing of churches for months on end. Slowly we are reopening with vastly reduced attendance. Predictions, say forty (40) percent of these parishioners will not come back. How are we as an organization (Methodist United in Prayer) the parent company of the Southwest District Mission Program, Inc. going to support a growing base of churches in Cuba under this scenario? At the present rate two out of three churches in Cuba now do not have a sister church in the United States, yes you read that right. 

So, we have identified a problem how do we solve it? Many of you reading this are saying, " I do not care, we have a sister church and are taking good care of it." If you care about Cuba, you should care. Maybe your church could support another sister church for the same amount of money. Instead of building a big church you could build two smaller churches OR forget about building. Feed the multitudes, and supply the people with much needed medicines, and everyday needs.

Secondly, Florida churches during the winter season have many visitors from the north. If you care about Cuba and have been to Cuba, give a presentation talk about your experience there. Stir their curiosity, you just might be surprise what God can do with this.

My wife and I were blessed last weekend to spend time in Appleton, Wisconsin at the First Appleton UMC. They have a sister church in Turiguano, Cuba in the Ciego de Avila District. Friday night we attended a gathering and told our Cuban stories to the disbelief of all in attendance. After church service on Saturday evening, we had Cuban sandwiches and answered the many questions. Why this, why that and how can we help? Sunday was similar in their Fellowship Hall. Our host couple attend Englewood UMC during the winter and wanted to take the Cuba program back to their home church, Hallelujah, yes! 

So, if you really care about Cuba, expose your winter visitors to the Cuba program when they are here. Talk about your experiences, show your enthusiasm. You may not be able to travel to Cuba now, but you can promote, you can grow your contacts. If you know someone interested in going to Cuba or learn more about Cuba let me know.      

“Cuba so Close, But A World Away”.

Too Good Not to Share

We receive criticism for sending funds into a “Terrorist Country”. You mention Cuba to many of “our” government officials they will dance around any constructive conversation. Their mind set is still on a sixty-year-old embargo, that has achieved nothing to hurt the Cuban government. Yet they are somehow proud of the fact there is, no food and no medicines for the Cuban people.

You feel like you're on the outside looking in; “Until" the day you receive an email that melts your heart and opens the floodgates of all your emotions.

See below, this is for all of you, it is worth the effort!

In Christ,

Dan Christopherson, Southwest District Program, Inc.

************************************************

Beloved brother and good friend.

Thank you, thank you very much for your love. Thank you for your Faith, which encourages and motivates us so much. Thank you for strengthening and encouraging us. Thank you for your beautiful and great friendship.

Thanks for your true sincerity. Thank you for your continued help and collaboration. Thanks for sincere brotherhood. Thank you for your care. Thank you for your efforts and sacrifices.

Thank you for offering the other Cheek, the Cloak and also the Tunic, thank you for taking on the burden and walking the second Mile. Forgive me for using the word (you) with you, please don't look at it as a disrespectful expression.

It is that for us you are someone very special, someone very close, and familiar, you are a great friend, a true brother, a loving earthly father, you are very familiar to us, your smile fills our hearts and cheers our souls. You inspire our lives.

We greatly appreciate your efforts and actions to bless the Church in Cuba, not even the world economic crisis has stopped you! I know that you are not giving what is left over, but that you are sharing what you have.

That many do not value. The grateful ones recognize it and value it a lot.

Thank you very much dear Dan Christopherson.

God bless you. 9999999999999999999999 billion times more.

We wish you the best and greatest. Thankssssssss

A strong and tight hug from all our family, we will never forget what you have done for us, thank you for your love, kindness, mercy, friendship, and discretion, towards us, thank you because we do not deserve anything of all that you have offered us unconditionally.

Thank you my beloved brother and good friend. In the love of Jesus, my family greets you.